Cameron Park Zoo’s Mountain Lion Dies

Paso, born in California back in 2001, arrived at the Cameron Park Zoo back in 2003.

Paso and her sister Robles were originally rescued by the California Fish and Game Service and had to be taken into captivity because they could not be released back into the wild.

KWTX said, "She and her sister were the first large mammals acquired for the Brazos River Country expansion which opened in 2005. Paso died of pneumonia, but final results from the necropsy are pending. The average lifespan for mountain lions is 8-10 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. Cameron Park Zoo opened in 1993 and many of the animals have been here since the zoo opened and are approaching the end of their lifespans."

The aging of their animals creates a unique problem for the zoo. Special diets, vitamins, and other medical care are used to help give the animals the longest and best life possible.